Sustainability at Lothlorian

Our purpose

Since 1990, we have proudly crafted luxury knitwear from natural fibres in Aotearoa New Zealand. We design with care for the people who wear our products, the communities we support, and the world we share. We don’t claim to be perfect, but we are relentlessly focused on continual improvement and doing our best to be a socially responsible organisation.

Lothlorian Knitwear is proud to be Toitū enviromark gold certified. This reflects our rigorous commitment to sustainable practice across product creation, materials, energy and water use, waste reduction, and supply chain responsibility.

Find out more at https://www.toitu.co.nz

People, culture and wellbeing

We prioritise health, safety, training, and an inclusive workplace environment.

We remain committed to the continuous development of staff skills in advanced knitting technologies. Lothlorian fosters an environment in which staff members are encouraged to develop further skills to enable them to take on new responsibilities as and when opportunities arise.

Community

We contribute to local initiatives in New Zealand, collaborate with partners who share our values, and seek to leave a positive footprint beyond our products.

Returning empty laundry liquid containers for reuse to one of our trusted partners. Will & Able is a social enterprise on a mission to create new jobs for people with intellectual disabilities. Not only is Will & Able good for people it is also good for the planet with Eco Choice Aotearoa certication on all their products

Environmental stewardship in practice

Our commitment focuses on reducing energy consumption, minimising waste, conserving water and implementing recycling initiatives.

We comply with New Zealand regulations and align with international best practices.

Key initiatives implemented (2025-26)

Installation of solar panels to reduce reliance on grid electricity.
Acquisition of five water tanks (30,000L each) for water security and rainwater harvesting.
Recycling initiatives to reduce and eliminate plastic use.
Installation of insulated “warm roof” panels for a better temperature-controlled environment in our production facility.

Commitment

We aim to harmonise manufacturing operations with environmental stewardship and community well-being. People are at the centre of all that we do whether they be part of the in-house Lothlorian team, a valued supplier, our retailer network or our loyal customers. Lothlorian remains committed to provide our in-house team with financial stability in a safe, inclusive and growth-oriented workplace. We maintain our commitment to implement environmentally friendly solutions with a focus on our product range, production methods and delivery for both local and international customers. In supporting our community both locally and throughout our wider network, we continue to focus on environmental, community and customer initiatives where we can add the most value.

How you can participate

Choose lasting pieces: Our knitwear is designed for longevity and timeless style.
Care for longevity: Follow care guidance to extend the life of your garments. Please contact us through our website if you need some mending yarn to extend the life of your Lothlorian item, we can also help with more difficult mends.
Engage with us: We welcome feedback and ideas from customers, partners, and community groups on how we can improve.

A message from our team

Thank you for joining us on this journey. Your support helps us invest in responsible practices, uplift communities, and protect the natural environment we all rely on. Together, we can continue to create luxury knitwear that is beautiful, durable, and better for people and the planet.